Daily Report: U.S. Olympic Sailing Team – August 4

It was ladies day for the U.S. Olympic Sailing Team, where strong results were turned in by Amanda Clark and Sarah Lihan in the Women’s 470; Anna Tunnicliffe, Molly Vandemoer and Debbie Capozzi in Women’s Match Racing; and Paige Railey in Laser Radial. Today was a scheduled reserve day for Star and 49er classes.

In the Women’s One Person Dinghy (Laser Radial), Paige Railey finished the final two races in 9th and 8th, respectively. With an overall standing of 9th overall, she advances to the medal race scheduled for Aug. 6 on the Nothe Course. “I’m looking forward to it,” said Railey. “I would like to redeem myself on that course. I am going to enjoy sailing and try my hardest. It’s cool. I’m out there sailing with my American flag representing my country. It’s great to be out there and say ‘here I am sailing for all of you.’’

Railey came into the event with a goal of medaling. With her current score of 92 points, it is not possible to achieve that goal. Overall, her take on the event is positive. “Yesterday was a really tough day for me,” she said. “It’s been nice to be out on the water and spend time with my coach, but it would have been great if my results were better. I think our approach to this event was really good.”

In Women’s Match Racing, Anna Tunnicliffe, Molly Vandemoer and Debbie Capozzi won their two final matches in the round robin against Sweden and Great Britain. With a win-loss record of 8-3, they advance to the quarter finals.

“The girls sailed great on a tricky course and we came in with two wins,” said Tunnicliffe after racing. The final match against GBR was billed as the ‘match of the day’ by local TV broadcasters. “We had a really good race with them,” she said of the Brits. “It was quite close all the way around the race course; just really picking the shifts. Right at the top we were able to extend away and get a length and a half lead. It got a little scary on the last downwind. We split our ways and then when we came together we were a length ahead. We were able to play the shifts and keep our lead. It was very clean sailing today.”

Although the scores to date do not carry through and the team will start with a clean slate in the next round, Tunnicliffe explained that their 8-3 record doesn’t reflect the true nature of the round robin for the team. “We got off to an unfortunate start. We weren’t ever sailing terribly. We got caught on a mark in one race and lost another by six inches. The whole event we have been sailing well, and now we’re looking forward to the quarter finals.”

Women’s match racing is held on the Nothe Course, which is overlooked by the spectator area. “We saw our family before racing as we sailed out and we heard them while we were racing,” said Tunnicliffe.

Racing in the quarter-final round, where USA will meet Finland, takes place on Aug. 7. Aug. 5-6 are scheduled reserve days.

In men’s one person dinghy event (Laser), Rob Crane finished the Olympic Sailing Regatta in 29th overall. Scores from Saturday’s final two races were 33rd and 44th in the fleet of 49 competitors.

“It’s an incredible experience to come to the Olympics and represent the U.S.,” said Crane. “I think I’ve worked as hard as I can. I’m not too happy with the end result, but I definitely put in a lot of work.”

Men’s 470 – Stuart McNay and Graham Biehl

In the men’s two person dinghy (Men’s 470), Stuart McNay and Graham Biehl had a struggle of a day on the Weymouth Bay South course, finishing 23rd and 24th, respectively, in the race 5 and 6. They are 19th overall in the 27-boat fleet.

The 10-race series continues through Aug. 7, with a scheduled reserve day on Aug. 5 and the medal race scheduled for Aug. 9.

Women’s 470 – Amanda Clark and Sarah Lihan

Women’s Two Person Dinghy (Women’s 470) duo Amanda Clark and crew Sarah Lihan added two more strong finishes of 5th and 7th. Racing was held on the South Course, held on Weymouth Bay.

They are in 4th overall in the 20-boat fleet, only 7 points from first place.

The 10-race series continues through Aug. 8 with the medal race scheduled for Aug. 10.

Women’s Windsurfing – Farrah Hall

Farrah Hall (Annapolis, Md.) collected results of 23rd in race 7 and 27th for an OCS (on-course side or starting the race early, a penalty equal on points to the total number of competitors) in race 8 in women’s windsurfing.

After eight races held in relatively strong conditions, Hall explained that she has struggled in the breeze.

“This isn’t my strong condition,” she said. “We have had windy conditions every day. It is the most fun conditions and I’m having fun every day. Every race I’ve made one or two mistakes and that can cost you places, whether it’s a bad start or a bad tack. Otherwise I’m pretty confident with my speed or maneuvers. It’s not been a total disaster, but it’s slightly disappointing.”

Hall is currently in 22nd overall. Racing continues Aug. 5.

Men’s Windsurfing – Bob Willis

Bob Willis continued to accrue scores in the Men’s Windsurfing event, with scores of 24th and 33rd. He is now in 22nd overall in the 38-competitor fleet.

Aug. 5 will see racing continue in 49er, Women’s 470, Men’s and Women’s Windsurfing, and the medal race for the Star class scheduled for 1300 BST on the Nothe Course. It is a scheduled reserve day for Men’s 470, Laser and Laser Radial, before the medal race on Aug. 6.

About the U.S. Olympic Sailing TeamThe U.S. Olympic Sailing Team is managed by the United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for the sport of sailing and sailboat racing. Athletes in each Olympic class were selected to the Team based on performance at two selection events. US Sailing has a proud history in the sport, collecting 59 medals since sailing was first included in the Games in 1900.

The United States Sailing Association (US Sailing), the national governing body for sailing, provides leadership, integrity, and growth for the sport in the United States. Founded in 1897 and headquartered in Portsmouth, Rhode Island, US Sailing is a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization. US Sailing offers training and education programs for instructors and race officials, supports a wide range of sailing organizations and communities, issues offshore rating certificates, and provides administration and oversight of competitive sailing across the country, including National Championships and the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Sailing Teams. For more information, please visit us at www.ussailing.org.